Opposition Leader Azruddin Mohamed could face a murder charge in connection with the 2021 execution-style killing of gold dealer Ricardo “Paper Shorts” Fagundes, with United States attorney Glenn Hanoman telling the court that there is “strong and compelling evidence” to support such a charge.
Hanoman raised the issue on Tuesday before Chief Magistrate Judy Latchman at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts, while renewing the prosecution’s application for the revocation of Mohamed’s bail in the ongoing extradition proceedings.
In making his case, the attorney pointed to statements obtained from an alleged co-conspirator, suggesting that the evidence gathered could form the basis for a murder prosecution against Mohamed.
“I happen to note that there is strong and compelling evidence that supports a murder charge against [Mohamed],” Hanoman submitted, adding that the politician is likely to face a murder charge very shortly.
Fagundes was gunned down outside Palm Court on Main Street, Georgetown, on March 21, 2021, in an execution-style attack. The killing has remained under investigation, with police continuing to pursue leads years after the shooting.
Hanoman’s latest submissions form part of the prosecution’s effort to convince the court that Mohamed should no longer remain on bail while extradition proceedings continue.
The United States is seeking the extradition of Mohamed and his father, Nazar Mohamed, to face criminal charges stemming from an 11-count indictment relating to an alleged gold-export scheme.
US prosecutors accuse the two men of conspiring to evade more than US$50 million in taxes and royalties through the under-declaration of gold exports.
The Mohameds are also implicated in a separate US indictment concerning the importation of a luxury Lamborghini from Miami.
Prosecutors allege that Azruddin Mohamed used an undervalued invoice to import the vehicle, resulting in the alleged evasion of more than US$1 million in taxes.
The extradition request is intended to have both men surrendered to the United States to answer the charges before its courts in Florida.
